Instant Pot Million Dollar Meatballs—perfectly seasoned meatballs simmered in a tomato pasta sauce with mozzarella and parmesan cheeses. These meatballs have a fun twist! Raw orzo pasta is added to the meatballs and it cooks as the meatballs cook. The result is pasta and meatballs all together in one pot–your Instant Pot or Slow Cooker!
Note: the SLOW COOKER instructions are listed in the recipe card below
Instant Pot Million Dollar Meatballs
If you’re a fan of porcupine meatballs you’re going to love these Instant Pot million dollar meatballs! Instead of rice I used orzo. It’s a fun way to have pasta and meatballs together in one delicious bite. I am already planning to make these again and next time I am going to double the recipe!
What kind of meat can I use? You can use any type of lean or extra lean ground meat. This could be ground beef, turkey, pork, chicken, elk, etc. The reason you need very lean ground meat is so that the meatballs aren’t swimming in grease when they are done. I used a pound of extra lean ground beef. Next time I make these I will double the meatball portion of the recipe and use 1 pound ground beef and 1 pound ground pork.
What is orzo? Orzo is pasta that is shaped like rice. You can use white or whole wheat orzo for this recipe (use the same cooking time). Orzo can be found in a small box next to other pastas. Barilla is the brand I usually find at my grocery store. Sometimes I buy it in the bulk section at Winco.
To make this recipe gluten free: Use uncooked long grain white rice in the place of orzo. Increase the pressure cooking time to 5 minutes.
What should I serve with Instant Pot million dollar meatballs? I served my meatballs with a green salad and frozen veggies that I steamed in the bag in the microwave. Another idea is to serve this with a loaf of French bread or homemade breadsticks. There is a plentiful amount of delicious sauce to dip bread in!
More Ground Beef Instant Pot Recipes…
Instant Pot John Wayne Casserole
Instant Pot Sloppy Joe Casserole
Instant Pot Meatloaf and Baked Potatoes
Instant Pot Salisbury Steak Meatballs
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Instant Pot Million Dollar Meatballs
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 4 minutes (plus 5 minute NPR)
- Total Time: 19 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
Description
Perfectly seasoned meatballs simmered in a tomato pasta sauce with mozzarella and parmesan cheeses. These meatballs have a fun twist! Raw orzo pasta is added to the meatballs and it cooks as the meatballs cook. The result is pasta and meatballs all together in one pot–your Instant Pot or Slow Cooker!
Ingredients
- 1 cup beef broth
- 1 pound extra lean ground beef (or 1/2 pound ground beef and 1/2 pound ground pork)
- 1/4 cup minced onion or 1 Tbsp minced dry onion
- 1/2 cup uncooked orzo
- 1 egg
- 1 Tbsp dried parsley
- 1 tsp kosher salt
- 1/2 tsp pepper
- 2 tsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 (24 oz) jar Classico fire roasted tomato and garlic pasta sauce (or other favorite pasta sauce)
- 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella
- 1/4 cup shredded parmesan cheese
Instructions
Instant Pot Instructions:
- Add 1 cup beef broth to bottom of Instant Pot.
- Add beef, onion, orzo, egg, parsley, salt, pepper and Worcestershire sauce to a mixing bowl. Use clean or gloved hands to combine the mixture.
- Form into ping pong size balls. Place each meatball into bottom of Instant Pot.
- Dump the sauce over the top of the meatballs.
- Cover Instant Pot and secure the lid. Make sure valve is set to sealing. Set the manual/pressure cook button to 4 minutes. When time is up let pot sit for 5-10 minutes and then move valve to venting. Remove the lid.
- Gently stir in the cheeses. Serve and enjoy! (If there is extra sauce it is super yummy served over spaghetti squash).
Slow Cooker Instructions:
- Add 1 cup beef broth to bottom of slow cooker. Stir in the pasta sauce.
- Add beef, onion, orzo, egg, parsley, salt, pepper and Worcestershire sauce to a mixing bowl. Use clean or gloved hands to combine the mixture.
- Form into ping pong size balls. Place each meatball into the sauce in the slow cooker.
- Cover and cook on low for 4-6 hours.
- Gently stir in the cheeses. Serve and enjoy!
Notes
I used my 6 quart Instant Pot Duo 60 7 in 1*.
This recipe is easy to double. Just double the meatball ingredients (keep the sauce and broth amount the same). Keep the cooking time the same.
- Category: Beef
- Method: Instant Pot or Slow Cooker
*Karen Petersen is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com.
Hi Karen I absolutely love your recipes they are the best instant pot recipes around. My one question is why are the lengths of time for cooking in a Crock-Pot so long. Anything I’ve made over the years I have checked halfway through the time and it’s perfectly done. It seems to happen with every recipe. My crock pot is very reliable. I’m making million dollar meatballs tonight for supper in the Crock-Pot for the first time and we’ll check it after 2 hours. Thanks for all your great recipes
I guess because every crockpot cooks differently. It sounds like you have a slow cooker that cooks a little more quickly. That’s ok! Just adjust the recipes accordingly.
Thanks Karen…btw, the first time I made the meatballs, I did in the IP. Out of this world delicious.
Yay!!!
I haven’t tried the first meatball recipe made with orzo. I wasn’t a fan of the porcupine one and I don’t like to use store bought meatballs – must be the Italian in me! So I will try the first recipe when I can. I have a favorite slow cooker meatball recipe that makes soft melt in your mouth meatballs. I love your recipes I don’t know what I would do without them!!!!!!
I’ve made these a few times, and loved them. My only problem is the sauce is too this. I’ve been thinking of cooking some Orzo in the sauce at the same time. I was thinking of putting more broth in, and maybe add a can of seasoned diced tomatoes. Do you think that would add enough extra liquid to account for maybe 3/4 cup of orzo? Also, if you were to do this, when would you add the orzo? I’m thinking out the diced tomatoes on the meatballs, add the orzo, then he pasta sauce on top, and don’t mix.
★★★★★
I’ve made in the instant pot and they were great. I’m making them now in the slow cooker and wondering can you cook on high for half the time? Thanks for a great recipe!!
★★★★★
Yes you can do that 🙂
I used reduced sodium beef broth, less salt and added 1 tsp. garlic power to the meatball mix. It was tasty. Will serve the leftovers over pasta.
★★★★★
Love your ideas Sharon!
Would this work with ground turkey or chicken?
Yes I bet that would be great!
AMAZING! Even my picky eaters love them!
★★★★★
YAY! 🙌
Is there a good gluten-free substitute for the orzo? Would rice work? Thanks!
Yes, use long grained white rice or jasmine rice
These have quickly become a favorite recipe in my house, and are absolutely perfect for busy nights! The only thing I do even slightly different is I add a bit of pesto – yum! Thanks for another great recipe!!
★★★★★
Yes yes yes to the pesto. I am a pesto fan!
I made these without the cheese and replacing the egg with applesauce (my oldest daughter is allergic to egg and my youngest daughter has a dairy intolerance) and these were SO delicious! My very picky husband raved about them and loved them SO much! I doubled the recipe and will definitely do that again when I make them next time (which will be soon!)!
★★★★★
Glad it worked out with applesauce! Was it slightly sweet?
No, you couldn’t tell that they had applesauce in them at all and my husband thought that they were the perfect tasting meatball!
Cool!
Hi ,
Do I have to alter the recipe if I’m using an 8qt instant pot? I’m trying this recipe tonight.
Thanks
I’d increase broth to 1.5 cups instead of 1 cup.
What can I use in place of the egg? We have an egg allergy at my house.
Haven’t tried these myself but here’s what the old google said, “2 tablespoons buttermilk per egg.
3 tablespoons plain yogurt per egg.
1/4 cup ricotta cheese per egg.”
Could you make these in a crock pot
yes, slow cooker instructions are listed in the bottom of the recipe card:
Slow Cooker Instructions:
Add 1 cup beef broth to bottom of slow cooker. Stir in the pasta sauce.
Add beef, onion, orzo, egg, parsley, salt, pepper and Worcestershire sauce to a mixing bowl. Use clean or gloved hands to combine the mixture.
Form into ping pong size balls. Place each meatball into the sauce in the slow cooker.
Cover and cook on low for 4-6 hours.
Gently stir in the cheeses. Serve and enjoy!
Can you freeze these if you double the recipe?
Yes I think that would work nicely.
I doubled the recipe but used 1 lb beef and 1 lb of hot sausage. It was awesome!! Thank you 😊
★★★★★
SAUSAGE! Yum that sounds so great.
Could you use cooked or instant brown rice to make porcupines?
★★★★★
I’d use either and it should work great!
Sounds tasty! I have a couple of hungry teens and would like to double the amount of meatballs. Do I double the liquids as well? Thanks!
No need to double liquids. Just meatball ingredients will be fine.
These look and sound delicious and easy. My question for you is, how do I get the cheeses to melt into the recipe instead of sticking like a gunky mess to the bottom of the pot? I have this problem with any of your recipes that have cheese added.
Thanks.
I would remove the Instant Pot liner from the pot. Set it on the counter. Then add in the cheeses. That should help.